confused about buying DVDs

CyberGhost

i want to collect the DVDs of my fav movies, Terminator, Xmen, Matrix

but there are so many versions of the DVDs, like Terminator has Extreme Edition, Ultimate Edition, which is usually better version? do X-Men and Matrix have something like that?(extreme edition and ultimate edition?)

which is the best DVD/VHS store in Ireland? do they have a website? so i could check if they have the stuff i'm looking for?

Thanks!

lodgepole

There are pretty much only 2 editions of Terminator 2, though each edition can come in several forms.

1) The Ultimate Edition - Contains both the original cut and the director's cut and has more extras on the making of the film than you can shake a stick at. It also has enough text documents to teach you how to make a film from scratch. It's an amazing DVD. Be warned though... It's no longer available over here with both versions of the film, only with the Director's Cut. That includes the boxed set.

2) The Extreme Edition - Not available over here, as far as I know, but this version is more of a retrospective edition. It has a better commentary track than the other version, and some really fascinating documentaries, one in particular about the films special effects. It has the theatrical cut of the film in Windows Media Player format as well.

I'd recomend the first edition to be honest... But i'd love to have a combination of the two.

The Matrix has two versions, one is just the film and one is the film plus the documentary they made about it. You can buy the film and documentary as seperate DVDs or in a double pack.

Matrix Reloaded just has a 2 disc set.

X-Men has two DVD releases, the original and the new X-Men 1.5 edition. Buy the 1.5 Edition, altough it doesn't offer that much more to the original DVD.

When buying DVDs, it's best to do a small bit of research online to see what features come on each edition.

ObeyGiant

If you're cautious about buying DVDs, and always want the best version available, you should use http://www.dvdcompare.org.uk/. It compares all the different versions of dvds from all different regions around the world.

Karl Hungus

I have the Terminator collection box set, which is pretty damn brilliant. It's the Ultimate Edition of T2 in there, and man is it great! The amount of extras is just immense, it's just packed.

Makaveli

No doubt there'll be a Terminator Trilogy boxset released in the not too distant future.

I have the Ultimate edition of T2 aswell.

Also, picking a dvd can depend on soundtracks. Some have DD some have DTS as well. All depends on which you prefer.

For shops in Ireland, well they're all pretty much theiving bastards, charging outlandish prices. (€40 for Akira 2 disc set in HMV).
Better off trying to buy them online. Check the thread at the top of this forum for a list of good sites.

sceptre

Originally posted by Lodgepole
2) The Extreme Edition
[...]
It has the theatrical cut of the film in Windows Media Player format as well.

... which needs a licence updated at least every five days from a US IP address (all the usual proxies don't work). Just something to keep in mind if you do get it (ie you probably won't be able to watch it)

CyberGhost

"The Ultimate Edition - Contains both the original cut and the director's cut"

is the original version much longer than the director's cut?

... which needs a licence updated at least every five days from a US IP address (all the usual proxies don't work). Just something to keep in mind if you do get it (ie you probably won't be able to watch it)

what needs to be updated? you mean like movie has to be checked online?

Bard

Originally posted by CyberGhost
is the original version much longer than the director's cut?

No, the directors cut is longer than the original version (as a rule of thumb) - "directors cut" meaning that it's the version that the director would have preferred to have released initially if it were not for being encumbered by the restrictions of certain requirements, specifically that of time...

In the case of T2, I seem to remember it being less than 10 minutes extra footage plus some enhanced sound that made up the difference between the two versions.

lodgepole

The director's cut adds some really pivotal moments, and a few small scenes that add little but are nice to see. It's actually about 15 minutes extra.

Unfortunately they've cut some violence out though... Some of the cuts I like (they've shortened the guy who gets thrown on the hot plate in the redneck bar, the shorter version works better) but they've cut virtually any instance of someone's head being hurt.

This includes the really hilarious scene in the hospital where he wollops the guy off the wall, the bit where he throws yer one with the big hair down the corridor and in the hospital car park when he wollops the other guys head against the wall.

KdjaCL

Xmen has a box set out of 1.5 and 2 for €30 in Xtravision (superb bargain)

T2 the best version i found was Ultimate but there is another with a new version (visual only no extra scenes)


If anyone has the Ultimate version on Region 1 there are 3 Versions of the Movie ,Normal which you see on tv , Directors which shows the T1000 has weaknesses he sticks to things and the 3rd has the most goddawful ending ever deleted thank god they got rid of it.
To see it you must enter a code into one of the screens cant remember what is it 1997 or somfin.

kdjac

Makaveli

I have the tinned case region three version of X-Men 2 on the way.

I got it from cd-wow.com.hk but I cant find a link to it anywhere now. It was a limited edition so maybe it's gone.

[edit]Link: http://superherohype.com/x-men/index.php?id=392[/edit]

sceptre

Originally posted by CyberGhost
what needs to be updated? you mean like movie has to be checked online?

Basically yeah. WMP accesses a server for the licence. Licence runs out after a week and needs to be renewed (for free obviously). Can't access it from a non-US IP. No licence, no playing of the movie.

I'm sure there's a specific hack out there somewhere but that's kind of beside the point. They're controlling exactly where you watch your movie. One of the columnists was complaining about it in PCW about six months back.

CyberGhost

This includes the really hilarious scene in the hospital where he wollops the guy off the wall, the bit where he throws yer one with the big hair down the corridor and in the hospital car park when he wollops the other guys head against the wall.

man that sucks! i didn't they cut it too, because they were usually showing that in a normal version

3rd has the most goddawful ending ever deleted thank god they got rid of it.

where Sarah is old and tells stuff? i've heard about it, i saw the operation scene where John removes T-800's chip
that was awesome!

thanks for explaining the Director's cut thing!

To see it you must enter a code into one of the screens cant remember what is it 1997 or somfin.

yea yea i recall a guy on terminator3.co.uk forum saying that, i think it's something like 27081997 (27 august 1997)

CyberGhost

sceptre

for license or codecs?

Media player classic plays wmp files so i think that shouldn't be a prob

Pepe LeFrits

Get the edition with the theatrical version as well as the directors cut. The extra scenes in the DC take away from the film a lot, damages the pacing and some of the scenes don't help the atmosphere either.

sceptre

Originally posted by CyberGhost
sceptre

for license or codecs?

Just license. I assume the move is encoded with one of the mpeg-4 codecs so that side certainly wouldn't be a problem.

CyberGhost

hmm never heard anything like that, what if i don't have an internet connection? i can't watch the movie?

CivilServant

Originally posted by sceptre
Just license. I assume the move is encoded with one of the mpeg-4 codecs so that side certainly wouldn't be a problem.

I think the movie in encoded in wmv format but using really high HDTV resolutions. 720i and 1080i which is something like ~1024x768 and ~1960x1400 respectively. The quality has to be seen to be believed (apparently).

I dled the hi-def trailer from microsofts wmv site but can't seem to play it in wmp9. ??? Anyone who has broadband should take a peek and see what kind of quality our american cousins are enjoying on daily basis now!